15.3

Study Notes

Abuse and Neglect

Abuse is the violent mistreatment of another person, occurring in families, between friends, among classmates, or between romantic partners.

Types of Abuse

Physical Abuse

Behaviors that cause bodily harm to another person
Signs of physical abuse include:
- Bruises
- Black eyes
- Welts
- Burns
- Cuts
- Choking
- Slapping
- Biting
- Changes in behavior (anxiety, depression)

Emotional Abuse

Attitudes, controlling behaviors, or words that harm a person's mental and emotional health
Signs of emotional abuse include:
- Loss of self-confidence
- Fear
- Extreme upset
- Withdrawal from relationships and social activities
Examples of emotional abuse:
- Using threats or insults
- Withholding love to control behavior
- Ridiculing a person's identity
- Calling a person names
- Isolating a person from supportive relationships

Sexual Abuse

Characterized by sexual violence, including sexual assault or sexual harassment
Signs of sexual abuse may include:
- Extreme anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Nightmares
- Bedwetting
- Fear of being alone with certain people

Financial Abuse

Using money to exert power in a relationship
Examples of financial abuse include:
- Stealing a person's money
- Giving gifts or money and expecting something in return
- Withholding money needed to buy necessities
Most commonly occurs between romantic partners and between adult children and their aging parents or guardians

Cycle of Abuse

Abusive behavior follows a cycle of four stages:
1. Tension building
2. Incident
3. Reconciliation
4. Calm
The cycle of abuse repeats unless someone acts to break the cycle

Consequences of Abuse

Physical, mental, and emotional consequences, including:
- Injuries
- Brain damage
- Blindness
- Motor impairments
- Cognitive impairments
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cancer
- Liver disease
- Obesity
Long-term effects on mental health, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
- PTSD

Intimate Partner Violence

Abuse between two people who are or were married, dating, or in a romantic relationship
Types of intimate partner violence include:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
People who have experienced intimate partner violence may:
- Have physical injuries
- Experience depression or anxiety
- Feel socially isolated and alone
- Have difficulty trusting others

Sibling Abuse

Mistreatment of one sibling by another
Forms of sibling abuse include:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
Healthy sibling relationships do not involve patterns of fear, pain, or control

Elder Abuse

Abuse of an older adult
Forms of elder abuse include:
- Physical abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
- Neglect
Many cases of elder abuse go unreported, leading to feelings of helplessness, loneliness, and distress

Preventing and Responding to Abuse

Factors affecting abuse include:
- Risk factors (history of abuse, mental health conditions, emotional immaturity)
- Protective factors (interpersonal skills, emotional maturity, respect for others)
Increase protective factors by:
- Promoting health for yourself, your family, and your community
- Improving mental, emotional, and social health
- Surrounding yourself with healthy relationships
- Educating yourself and others about the needs of others and effective caregiving
Recognize and report abusive behavior by learning about signs of abuse and neglect, and educating others about the definition of abusive behavior and the signs of abuse

Description

This quiz covers the different forms of abuse, including intimate partner violence, child abuse, and elder abuse, as well as the steps to prevent and respond to abuse. Test your understanding of the cycle of abuse and its consequences.